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Monday, November 30, 2015

First camping trip

Last month we bought a travel trailer (2016 Keystone Passport 2920BH) and this month was the first time we got to use it! We wanted to go somewhere not too far away so we could work out the kinks and just get our feet on the ground with it before we try a longer haul. We decided to go to Kernville and we stayed at Rivernook Campground and it did not disappoint.

We learned a few things about camping, met some nice people in the campground, partially froze our butts off and made a list of everything else we still need for the trailer. The whole reason we wanted to get a trailer was to get our kiddos outside and up close to nature. The entire ride up to Kernville they talked about how they were very nervous because of the bears.

One of the things I discovered is that when camping, it’s okay to over pack. I was trying to not over pack, so I brought the kids outfits for each day and then 2 extras and they were both through 3 outfits in the first day. Ben fell in the stream about 10 minutes after we got up the first day and soaked his only pair of shoes. (Just got him a pair of rain boots for camping now.) Abbie likes to play musical outfits on any given day anyway, so she changed 3 times the first day too. Next time I’ll bring more clothes for both of them, plus more shoes.

The scenery at the camp ground was gorgeous. There’s just something so refreshing about being out in nature, especially when you add water to it. This camp was along the Kern River and then had 3 creeks running through it and one was right behind our camp site. We had fun wandering the grounds taking it all in. The kids can NOT go for a walk without bringing half of the things they pass back with them. Leaves, sticks, shells, pine cones, moss, grass, dirt. You name it, they pick it up and bring it back with them. And our little Jamison is apparently a natural in front of the camera. Every time he saw me take a picture of him he’d get a big cheesy grin on his face. Mark says it’s in his DNA. I think he’s just too cute!

There were a few walking trails north of the camp ground that we walked along. Fall is my absolute favorite time of year to travel. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Europe or the States – the fall colors are amazing and I love the cooler crisp air. The fall colors along the river didn’t disappoint.

The first time we saw these little rock towers was in Santorini, Greece. They were all over the volcano there. They are known in Canada as “Inukshuk’s” which mean “You’re welcome here” or “You’re on the right path” so Mark made a little one.

One of my requirements for the trailer was to have an outdoor kitchen and I’m so glad we have one. It’s nice to be able to cook outside and not stink up the whole trailer. I just wish our outdoor sink had a drain. Instead it’s just a “sink” that you dump out when it gets full. At least there’s running water out there. We also got an outdoor rug for under the canopy.

Kernville is just south of the Sequoia National Forest so we decided to take drive north and check it out. It was BEAUTIFUL! Thank God my husband is patient and stops the car every mile or so for me to jump out and snap photos. I might print a few of these.

Seriously, every time I pointed the camera at him, he grinned.

And a few more from around the campground and the Kern River. We’re hoping to come back in the summer!